How to Choose the Best Barbering Course Near Lakewood Washington
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Lakewood WA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the school you choose not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be somewhat unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll speak a bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Lakewood residence. Tuition will also be an important consideration when reviewing potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not always the best choice. There are many other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
Barbering can be considered a subspecialty in the larger field of cosmetology. While cosmetologists train to work in hair, nails, skin, makeup, and overall beauty enhancement, barbers focus on cutting hair, almost exclusively men’s hair, and giving shaves and trimming facial hair. They might learn specialized techniques such as coloring and permanent waving like cosmetologists do, but it’s not essential. Barbers and cosmetologists also earn different licenses that specify which services they can legally perform. The first step to becoming a barber is to complete a barbering program. You might choose to enroll in a dedicated barber school or sign up for a barbering program in a cosmetology school that offers barbering as a specialty. Because states have different requirements for training and licensure, it is important to start by checking with your state cosmetology board.
What to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a list of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Lakewood WA residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Lakewood WA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Lakewood WA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, contact the Washington school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in Lakewood WA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Lakewood WA barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she gets aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Lakewood WA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an option until you learn what financial assistance may be offered in Lakewood WA.
How to Choose a Barber School in Lakewood
Choose in the Right Lakewood Barber College
Selecting and enrolling in the right barber college is important to get the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional barber in Lakewood Washington.